JPH04256061A - Operation manual preparing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the availability of an operation manual preparing device by reducing a data storage capacity and preparing an operation manual required for using a communication equipment in accordance with the request of an operator and setting an operation manual request by means of the operation of a single function to be possible. CONSTITUTION:Explanation data on an operation content required in processing steps are stored in an instruction information storage means 21 for respective processing steps required for the supply of communication service. When there is the operation manual request from a communication terminal, an editing control means 23 combines explanation data of the operation content in the respective processing steps required for communication service applied to the request, edits/prepares it as the operation manual and transmits it to the communication terminal. A single function table where the operation for requesting the operation manual is displayed by the single function for respective items of the operation manual is supplied, the operation manual request based on the single function table is received and the operation manual is outputted.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an operation manual creation device, and more specifically, the inventions herein relate to an operation manual creation device, and more specifically, to edit and create an operation manual in response to an operator's request and output the operation manual related to the operations necessary to request the functions provided by the equipment. The present invention relates to an operation manual creation device.

0002

[Prior Art] Information processing equipment, word processors, etc.
As the functions of communication devices such as A-devices and facsimile mail devices become more sophisticated, the operations become more complex.
In order to fully utilize the functions of a device, detailed knowledge of the device is required. For this reason, devices have traditionally been accompanied by detailed operating manuals, and operators operate the devices while referring to the operating manuals.

However, as the functions of devices become more sophisticated, operation manuals also become more detailed and thick, making it difficult to make full use of the operation manuals. Therefore, conventionally, the equipment itself has a so-called help function, and when the operator becomes unable to understand how to operate the equipment, by inserting a help key, etc., the meaning of the key and information matching the operator's request are displayed on a display. It is being displayed on the In such conventional help functions, regardless of the operating status of the device,
When the help key is pressed, help information created in advance is displayed on the display. However, simply displaying such previously prepared help information on a display does not provide help information appropriate to the operator's skill level or stage of operation.

[0004] Therefore, conventionally, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-24
As described in Publication No. 3518, the user's input history information and the output information from the application system are analyzed, help items are narrowed down and displayed as a help item table,
When the user selects several items that he/she wants to know about, the help information most suitable for the item that the user wants to know is retrieved and displayed based on the user's selection. This help information is created in advance for each help item that the user may request and is stored in the storage unit, and if there is no help information corresponding to the help item selected by the user, the help item selection will be disabled. Expand the range as appropriate and decide which help information to display. In addition, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 62-262120, when the same operator or operators belonging to the same group perform an operation a certain number of times, or when the operator determines that certain guidance information is unnecessary, It has been proposed to display only appropriate and necessary guidance information in accordance with the operator's proficiency level by prohibiting the display of this guidance information during the next operation process when an instruction is given. The guidance information in this case is also prepared in advance assuming the operator's proficiency level, etc., and is appropriately selected from the plurality of guidance information and displayed.

Furthermore, as described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 63-66623, the user can obtain desired information from data regarding the user's personal data and operation history, and data regarding the installation environment and operation history of the terminal device. A method has been proposed that detects an operating method that allows the user to reach a service that is likely to be available in the shortest time and provides it to the user via a display, thereby providing help information that corresponds to the individual's level of proficiency.

[0006] The help information in this case is also prepared in advance assuming the proficiency level of the user, and is appropriately selected from the plurality of help information and output. Also, conventionally,
As described in Japanese Patent Application No. 1-280821, there is a means for storing a series of operation procedures for each operation of an application program, and a means for storing guide help information for each unit of operation. A means for storing the guide request as a set, a means for identifying the guide request from the user/application program, and a means for identifying the guide request from the user/application program; means for creating a series of operation procedure sequences from to the end of the operation; means for searching the guide help information for messages corresponding to each of the listed series of operation procedure sequences; and means for searching the guide help information retrieved by the means. A means for synthesizing and displaying is provided, and guide request contents (
Using a state flow table in which the state and state flow of the application program are stored in advance, an operation procedure state string is created from the state at the time of the guide request to the desired processing, and then each of the operation procedure state strings is A method has been proposed that searches for guidance messages for a particular computer, and finally synthesizes them in the same order as the procedure and outputs the results for display. The guide help information in this case is synthesized as a set of guide help messages for each unit of status and operation.
Guide help messages for each unit are not freely edited to match the application program, but are synthesized according to a preset sequence of procedures.

[0007]

Problem to be Solved by the Invention However, such conventional help functions, especially,
Regarding the help functions described in Publication No. 8, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-262120, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 63-66623, even if they output help information that corresponds to the individual's proficiency level, etc. Help information is created in advance and stored in a storage unit, etc., and the help information is selected and output as appropriate depending on the individual's proficiency level from among these multiple pieces of help information, so it is not possible to adequately respond to a wide range of requests. Not only that, but the more you try to meet a wide range of demands, the more you need a large storage capacity to store help information.
There was a problem of high cost.

[0008] Furthermore, the help function described in Japanese Patent Application No. 1-280821 allows users to search for guides on specific operating procedures to perform the desired process from the time they have trouble with the operation. In order to display the guide information, it is synthesized as a set of guide help messages for each unit of status and operation, but the guide information is not synthesized by freely combining help messages for each unit. Even in this conventional example, there is a problem that it does not sufficiently meet a wide range of demands, and that a large-capacity storage unit is required to meet a wide range of demands, resulting in an increase in cost.

[0009]Furthermore, conventional help functions are positioned as supplementary functions to the operation manual attached to the device, and it is assumed that the user has thoroughly read the operation manual to some extent. When a beginner operates the device or loses the operating manual attached to the device, there is a problem that the help function is not sufficient and the device cannot be fully utilized.

[0010] Particularly today, as the functions of devices become more sophisticated and diversified, their operation methods become more complex, and the operation manuals attached to the devices are also thicker and more complicated. It has become difficult to read the manual carefully and master the operating methods. Therefore, unlike conventional help functions, there is a need for an improved man-machine interface that allows users to fully utilize the device without having to read the operating manual attached to the device.

[0011] Therefore, the applicant of the present application has proposed that, when an operation manual is requested along with the input of data necessary for creating an operation manual, the operations in the processing steps to be executed to realize the functions of the equipment are executed in the processing step. has proposed an operation manual creation device that freely combines explanatory data for each operation to create and output an operation manual (Japanese Patent Application No. 16365/1999). Therefore, it is possible to appropriately edit and create the operating manual requested by the operator and provide it while reducing the storage capacity of data for creating the operating manual.

However, in the operation manual creation device previously proposed by the present applicant, when requesting an operation manual, an operation manual requesting operation necessary for requesting an operation manual similar to when requesting a communication service is performed. However, the operation manual requesting operation is troublesome, and there is room for improvement in improving the usability of the operation manual creation device. Particularly, when requesting an operating manual from a communication terminal using a tone signal, it is necessary to request the operating manual using the same procedure as when making a communication service request using the tone signal necessary for requesting the operating manual.

[0013]

[Means for solving the problem] The invention according to claim 1 includes:
An operation manual creation device that is applied to a device that realizes multiple functions by combining multiple processing steps that are executed when a predetermined operation is performed, wherein when an operation is performed on the device, the operation manual creation device an input means for importing as operation data; a data storage means for extracting and storing data necessary for creating an operation manual from among the data input by the input means; and an explanation of the operation contents required for each of the above processing steps. Achieving the desired function by combining an instruction information storage means for storing data and explanation data of the operation contents at each processing step that is analyzed by analyzing the data stored in the data storage means and stored in the instruction information storage means. An editing control means for editing and creating the necessary operation manuals, and a single-function operation list for operation manual requests that combines multiple simple single-function operations for each operation manual that can be provided by the operation manual creation device. An input means comprising: a single-function storage means for storing; and an output means for outputting an operation manual created by the editing control means and a list of single-function operations stored in the single-function storage means at a predetermined time in a predetermined expression form; When an operation manual is requested by a single function operation, the editing control means edits and creates the requested operation manual based on the input single function operation data,
The invention according to claim 2 is an operation manual creation device that is applied to a device that realizes multiple functions by combining a plurality of processing steps that are executed when a predetermined operation is performed. an input means for capturing the operation contents as operation data when an operation is performed; a data storage means for extracting and storing data necessary for creating an operation manual from among the data captured by the input means; an instruction information storage means for storing explanatory data of the operation contents required for the device; a system information storage means for storing various system information entered in advance to realize each function of the device; and a data storage means. Analyzing the stored data and combining the explanatory data of the operation contents at each processing step stored in the instruction information storage means and incorporating the system information stored in the system information storage means to realize the desired function. An editing control means for editing and creating the necessary operation manual, and an operation manual creation device that stores the required operations of each operation manual that can be provided as a single function operation list for operation manual requests that is a combination of multiple simple single function operations. a single-function memory means for
output means for outputting the operation manual created by the editing control means and the list of single-function operations stored in the single-function storage means in a predetermined expression form at a predetermined time; When a communication terminal performs a predetermined operation on a communication terminal, the editing control means edits and creates the requested operation manual based on the input single-function operation data. and an operation manual creation device for a communication device, which receives operation data corresponding to the operation content from the communication terminal, and executes a plurality of processing steps in combination according to the operation data to realize a plurality of functions. , a reception control means for receiving data from the communication terminal; a data storage means for extracting and storing data necessary for creating an operation manual from among the data received by the reception control means; An instruction information storage means for storing explanation data of requested operation contents; and an instruction information storage means for analyzing the data stored in the data storage means to obtain explanation data of operation contents at each processing step stored in the instruction information storage means. An editing control means that edits and creates the operation manual necessary to achieve the desired function in combination, and an operation manual that combines multiple simple single-function operations with the required operations of each operation manual that can be provided by the operation manual creation device. a single-function storage means for storing a request single-function operation list; and a transmission control means for transmitting the operation manual created by the editing control means and the single-function operation list stored in the single-function storage means to a communication terminal at a predetermined time. , characterized in that when an operation manual is requested by a single function operation from a communication terminal, the editing control means edits and creates the requested operation manual based on the input single function operation data. In the invention described in 4, when a predetermined operation is performed on a communication terminal, operation data corresponding to the content of the operation is received from the communication terminal, and a plurality of processing steps are executed in combination according to the operation data. An operating manual creation device for equipment equipped with a communication function that realizes the functions of
reception control means for receiving data from the communication terminal;
a data storage means for extracting and storing data necessary for creating an operation manual from among the data received by the reception control means; and an instruction information storage for storing explanation data of the operation contents required for each of the above-mentioned processing steps. a system information storage means for storing various system information entered in advance to realize each function of the device; and an instruction information storage means for analyzing the data stored in the data storage means and storing the data in the instruction information storage means. an editing control means for editing and creating an operation manual necessary for realizing a desired function by combining explanatory data of operation contents in each processing step and incorporating system information stored in a system information storage means, and an operation manual; a single-function storage means for storing the requested operations of each operation manual that can be provided by the creation device as a single-function operation list for operation manual requests that is a combination of a plurality of simple single-function operations;
a transmission control means for transmitting an operation manual created by the editing control means and a list of single function operations stored in the single function storage means to a communication terminal at a predetermined time; Then, the editing control means edits and creates the requested operation manual based on the input single function operation data. According to claim 3 or claim 4, the device is a facsimile mail device; It is characterized by being equipped with an OMR processing means for analyzing.

[0014]

[Operation] According to the invention described in claim 1, in a device that realizes various functions by combining a plurality of processing steps, an instruction information storage means stores explanatory data of the operation contents necessary for each processing step for each processing step. memorize it,
The type of function requested by the operator is determined from the data input to the equipment, and the editing control means is used to freely combine and operate the explanatory data of the operation details of each processing step to be executed to realize that function. Edit and create a manual and output it in a specified output format. therefore,
It is possible to reduce the required capacity of a storage unit for storing explanatory data, and to provide an operation manual that can sufficiently respond to a wide range of operator demands. As a result, even beginners can easily realize the desired device functions according to the received operation manual even without the attached operation manual, improving the man-machine interface and improving the device's functionality. can be fully utilized.

[0015] Furthermore, the single-function storage means stores the requested operations of each operation manual that the operation manual creation device can provide as a single-function operation list for operation manual requests that is a combination of a plurality of simple single-function operations. Then, the single function operation list for requesting an operation manual stored in the single function storage means is output. When an operation manual is requested by a single function operation according to this list, the editing control means edits and creates the operation manual corresponding to the single function operation and outputs it in a predetermined output format. Therefore, the operator can request an operating manual by performing a single function operation according to the output list, and can easily and easily request an operating manual. As a result, the operation manual creation device can be used effectively, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the functions of the device can be utilized even more fully.

[0016] In the invention as claimed in claim 2, when the device receives an operation inquiry and various system information necessary for realizing the functions of the device has been inputted in advance, when creating the operation manual as described in claim 1, By creating an operation manual that incorporates the system information of By operating the device in accordance with the operating manual, it is possible to realize the intended functions of the device, further improving the man-machine interface, and making it easier and more effective to utilize the functions of the device.

[0017] Furthermore, the single-function storage means stores the requested operations for each operation manual that the operation manual creation device can provide as a single-function operation list for operation manual requests that is a combination of a plurality of simple single-function operations. Then, the single function operation list for requesting an operation manual stored in the single function storage means is output. When an operation manual is requested by a single function operation according to this list, the editing control means edits and creates the operation manual corresponding to the single function operation and outputs it in a predetermined output format. Therefore, the operator can request an operating manual by performing a single function operation according to the output list, and can easily and easily request an operating manual. As a result, the operation manual creation device can be used effectively, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the functions of the device can be utilized even more fully.

In the invention according to claim 3, in a device having a communication function that combines a plurality of processing steps to provide various communication services (functions), for each processing step, a communication terminal necessary for the processing step is provided. The instruction information storage means stores explanatory data of the operation contents, the type of function requested by the operator is determined from the data input to the device equipped with the communication function, and the editing control means realizes the function. The explanatory data of the operation contents in each processing step to be executed for the purpose is freely combined, edited and created as an operation manual, and sent to the communication terminal. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the required capacity of the storage section for storing explanatory data, and to provide an operation manual that can sufficiently meet the wide range of demands of operators of communication terminals. As a result, even beginners can easily realize the functions of the device with the desired communication function according to the received operation manual even without the attached operation manual, and the man-machine interface can be improved. , it is possible to fully utilize the functions of devices equipped with communication functions.

[0019] Furthermore, the single-function storage means stores the requested operations of each operation manual that can be provided by the operation manual creation device as a list of single-function operations for operation manual requests by combining a plurality of simple single-function operations, and stores the list at a predetermined time. , transmits the single function operation list for requesting an operation manual stored in the single function storage means to the communication terminal. When an operation manual is requested from a communication terminal by performing a single function operation according to this list, the editing control means edits and creates an operation manual corresponding to the single function operation and transmits it to the communication terminal. Therefore, the operator of the communication terminal can request an operating manual by performing a single function operation according to the transmitted list, and can easily and easily request an operating manual. As a result, the operation manual creation device can be used effectively, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the functions of devices equipped with communication functions can be utilized more fully.

[0020] In the invention according to claim 4, when a device equipped with a communication function receives an operation inquiry from a communication terminal and various system information necessary for realizing the function of the communication device is input in advance, the above-mentioned Claim 1
When creating an operation manual, by incorporating this system information and creating an operation manual, the system information can be entered and operated by operating the operation manual according to its contents, and the system information can be input and operated without being forgotten by the operator. By operating the device according to the operating manual, even if you do not know whether the device has the communication function or not, you can achieve the desired function of the device with the communication function, further improving the man-machine interface. functions can be more easily and fully utilized from a communication terminal.

[0021] In addition, the single-function storage means stores the requested operations of each operation manual that the operation manual creation device can provide as a single-function operation list for operation manual requests, which is a combination of a plurality of simple single-function operations. Then, the single function operation list for requesting an operation manual stored in the single function storage means is transmitted to the communication terminal. When an operation manual is requested from a communication terminal by performing a single function operation according to this list, the editing control means edits and creates an operation manual corresponding to the single function operation and transmits it to the communication terminal. therefore,
The operator of the communication terminal can request an operating manual by performing a single function operation according to the transmitted list, and can easily and easily request an operating manual. As a result, the operation manual creation device can be used effectively, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the functions of devices equipped with communication functions can be utilized more fully.

[0022] According to the fifth aspect of the invention, in a facsimile mail device, an operation inquiry from an operator of the facsimile mail device itself or a communication terminal is received, and the function or communication service of the facsimile mail device intended for the operator is used. By creating an operating manual for the necessary operations and transmitting it to the communication terminal, the functions and communication services of the facsimile mail device can be easily and fully utilized from the facsimile mail device itself or the communication terminal.

Furthermore, the facsimile mail device stores the requested operations of each operation manual that can be provided by the operation manual creation device in the single function storage means as a single function operation list for requesting an operation manual that is a combination of a plurality of simple single function operations. Then, at a predetermined time, the single-function operation list for requesting an operation manual stored in the single-function storage means is transmitted to the communication terminal. When an operation manual is requested from a communication terminal through a single function operation according to this list, the facsimile mail device edits and creates an operation manual corresponding to the single function operation using the editing control means, and sends it to the communication terminal. . Therefore, the operator of the communication terminal can request an operating manual by performing a single function operation in accordance with the transmitted list, and can easily and easily request an operating manual. As a result, the operation manual creation device can be used effectively, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the functions of the facsimile mail device can be utilized more fully.

[0024] The invention as set forth in claim 6 provides an apparatus in which O.
We accept operation inquiries and function requests using MR sheets, provide functions, and create and output operation manuals necessary for operators to use the desired functions. It can be made easier to perform, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the functions of the equipment can be more easily and fully utilized.

[0025] Also, the single-function storage means stores the requested operations for each operation manual that the operation manual creation device can provide as a single-function operation list for operation manual requests that is a combination of a plurality of simple single-function operations. Then, the single-function operation list for requesting an operation manual stored in the single-function storage means is output. When an operation manual is requested by a single function operation according to this list, the editing control means edits and creates the operation manual corresponding to the single function operation, and outputs it in a predetermined output format. Therefore, the operator can request an operating manual by performing a single function operation according to the output list, and can easily and easily request an operating manual. As a result, the operation manual creation device can be used effectively, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the functions of the device can be utilized even more fully.

[0026]

[Example] Hereinafter, a detailed explanation will be given based on an example. 1 and 2 are block diagrams of a facsimile mail device 1 to which the operation manual creation device of each invention of the present application is applied, and the facsimile mail device 1 includes a system control unit 2,
Disk control units 3, 4, floppy disk device 5, hard disk devices 6, 7, host interface unit 8
and communication processing units FCU1 to FCUn. System control unit 2, disk control units 3 and 4, host interface unit 8, and communication processing units FCU1 to FCUn
are connected by a system bus 9.

The system control unit 2 has an internal memory, a floppy disk device 5, or a hard disk device 6.
, 7 controls each part of the facsimile mail device 1, in particular, writes and reads image data to and from the floppy disk device 5 and hard disk devices 6 and 7, and also controls each communication processing unit FCU.
1 to FCUn, and executes the sequence as the facsimile mail device 1. The facsimile mail device 1 has various communication services such as a proxy communication function, a simultaneous broadcast function, a confidential communication function, a specified time transmission function, a bulletin board service function, a post office box function, and a serial communication function. , these functions (communication services) are executed and controlled by controlling each communication processing unit FCU1 to FCUn. In addition, in order to use these functions of the facsimile mail device 1, a communication terminal (for example, a facsimile machine) connected to the facsimile mail device 1 must perform certain operations on the facsimile mail device 1 to request a communication service. In each invention of the present application, as will be described later, the communication terminal can request the facsimile mail device 1 for an operation manual showing the operation contents of this communication service request.

[0028] Disk control section 3 and disk control section 4
controls the drive of the floppy disk device 5 and the hard disk devices 6, 7, and sends basic programs and various data as a facsimile mail device to the floppy disk device 5 and hard disk devices 6, 7, such as data sent from a communication terminal. It stores messages and messages sent from the host device (described later).

A host device, such as a computer device, is connected to the host interface section 8, and the host interface section 8 executes communication control with the host device. What is connected to the host interface unit 8 is not limited to a host device such as a computer device, but may be, for example, another facsimile mail device or the like. In addition, this host interface section 8
For example, a DMAC (direct memory access controller) that directly connects the host device and the facsimile mail device 1, a communication control unit that connects the host device and the facsimile mail device 1 via a line, etc. are used.

[0030] The communication processing units FCU1 to FCUn are provided as many as the number of storage lines, and each communication processing unit FCU1 to F
As shown in FIG. 2, the communication processing unit FCU1 of CUn includes a network control unit 11, a modem 12, a communication control unit 13,
manual generation buffer 14, encoding/decoding section 15,
Channel control section 16, control program storage section 17, OM
R processing section 18, data storage section 19, storage memory 20,
Instruction information storage unit 21, system information storage unit 2
2, an editing control section 23, a single-function list storage section 24, a bus control section 25, and the like.

A line L1 is connected to the network control unit 11,
For example, a telephone line is connected as the line L1. The network control unit 11 is what is called an AA-NCU, and performs automatic call origination and call termination processing. Modem 12 modulates the transmitted signal and demodulates the received signal. The communication control unit 13 exchanges facsimile control signals with a communication terminal (for example, a facsimile machine) connected via the line L1, and executes a facsimile communication procedure.

[0032] In the manual generation buffer 14, operation manuals and change information for each invention of the present application, which will be described later, are developed. The encoding/decoding unit 15 encodes the message using a predetermined encoding method, and also decodes the encoded message. The control program storage unit 17 stores the basic program as the communication processing unit FCU1, the output processing of the single function operation list for requesting the operation manual of each invention of the present application, the operation manual creation/output processing program, etc., and the channel control unit 16 controls each part of the communication processing unit FCU1 according to the program in the control program storage unit 17, and controls the communication processing unit FCU1.
It executes the sequence as CU1, and also executes the single function operation list output process for requesting an operation manual and the operation manual creation/output process of each invention of the present application.

[0033] The OMR processing unit (OMR processing means) 18:
Detection of whether the received message is an OMR sheet message,
When the received message is an OMR sheet message, marks and mark positions on the OMR sheet are detected from the received message on the OMR sheet, and the detection results are stored in the storage memory 20. The data storage unit (data storage means) 19 stores data necessary for creating an operation manual among the data (telegrams, dial tone, etc.) sent from the other party's communication terminal via the line L1, and stores the data necessary for creating the operation manual. The data required for creation includes, for example, an operation manual request command, the type of operation manual requested (i.e., the type of service function that the other operator requests from the facsimile mail device 1), and the type of other operator (for example, the other party's terminal). ID, operator ID, etc.), data indicating the proficiency level of the other operator, and single-function operation data when an operation manual is requested for a single-function operation.

[0034] Furthermore, the data storage unit 19 is set with a destination telephone number (for example, FAX No.) for an operation manual or a list of single function operations for requesting an operation manual;
An operation manual and a single function operation list for requesting an operation manual are transmitted to the destination telephone number set in the data storage section 19. Furthermore, when transmitting the single function operation list for requesting an operation manual, the data storage unit 19 stores the single function operation list for requesting an operation manual from a single function list storage unit 24 that stores a list of single function operations for requesting an operation manual, which will be described later. The operation list is transferred and then sent to the destination via the communication control section 13, modem 12, and network control section 11.

As mentioned above, the storage memory 20 has an OM
The detection result of the message on the OMR sheet detected by the R processing unit 18 and the message other than the OMR sheet are stored in the floppy disk device 5.
It is temporarily stored when transferring to the floppy disk device 5 or hard disk devices 6, 7, and is temporarily stored when transmitting the message in the floppy disk device 5 or hard disk devices 6, 7 via the communication processing unit FCU1. Instruction information storage (
The instruction information storage unit 21 stores explanatory data of the operation contents on the communication terminal required for each of a plurality of processing steps to realize the communication service (function) provided by the facsimile mail device 1. That is, when requesting communication service from the facsimile mail device 1, the process shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, a certain operation is required for each of the processing steps P0 to P11, and the instruction information storage unit 21 contains an explanation explaining the content of the operation on the communication terminal that is required for each of the processing steps P0 to P11. Data is pre-stored. Therefore, the instruction information storage unit 21 only needs to store explanatory data for each of the processing steps P0 to P11 necessary to realize each function of the facsimile mail device 1. There is no need to memorize multiple types of help information that correspond to individual proficiency levels.

The system information storage section (system information storage means) 22 connects the facsimile mail device 1 to the line LI1.
Predetermined system information necessary for requesting the functions (communication services) of the facsimile mail device 1 from a communication terminal connected via a communication terminal is stored, and this system information includes, for example, user ID. No. , destination ID. N
O. and destination telephone number (Tel.NO.).

When the editing control unit (editing control means) 23 receives a request for an operation manual, it analyzes the data stored in the data storage unit 19 and determines the type of operation manual requested by the other operator (that is, the operator Explanatory data for each of the processing steps P0 to P11 necessary to request the communication service of the facsimile mail device 1 by determining the communication service of the facsimile mail device 1 for which the purpose is intended, the proficiency level of the operator, etc. is read from the instruction information storage section 21 and edited and created as an operation manual in the manual generation buffer 14.

Furthermore, when the system information storage section 22 stores system information necessary for requesting the communication service, the editing control section 23 incorporates this system information to create an operation manual. The single-function list storage unit (single-function storage means) 24 combines a plurality of simple single-function operations to request operations necessary for each operation manual that can be provided by the facsimile mail device 1 as an operation manual creation device. It is stored as a list of single-function operations for requesting an operation manual, and this list of single-function operations for an operation manual includes, for example, an explanation of how to request an operation manual using a single-function operation, the single function, and the facsimile mail device 1. This is a list of the operating manual items and single functions that can be provided.

This facsimile mail device 1 accommodates lines L1 to Ln for each communication processing unit FCU1 to FCUn, and performs facsimile communication with a communication terminal connected via these lines L1 to Ln. Let's do it. When the facsimile mail device 1 receives a communication service request from a communication terminal connected via the lines L1 to Ln, it analyzes the service code of the requested communication service and provides the communication service. This communication service request can be made using an OMR sheet, or can also be made using a tone signal or the like.

When the other party's communication terminal makes a communication service request using an OMR sheet, the facsimile mail device 1 reads the mark position on the OMR sheet using the OMR processing section 18, and stores the reading result in the storage memory 2.
Expand to 0. The channel control unit 16 analyzes the contents of the storage memory 20, determines the type of communication service request, and executes the requested communication service. For example, when the requested communication service is a time-specific transmission service, the facsimile mail device 1 temporarily stores the received encoded message in the storage memory 20, encodes and
After decoding in the decoding unit 15 and re-encoding using a predetermined encoding method, or directly via the bus control unit 25 to the floppy disk 5 or hard disk 6.
, 7. Thereafter, at the specified transmission time, the message is read from the floppy disk 5 or the hard disks 6 and 7, and the communication processing units FCU1 to FC that are free are
The data is transferred to Un via its bus control unit 25. The communication processing units FCU1 to FCUn temporarily store the transferred message in the storage memory 20, and re-encode it using a predetermined encoding method in the encoding/decoding unit 15, or directly send it to the designated destination. Send.

The network control unit 11, modem 12, communication control unit 13, and OMR processing unit 18 constitute reception control means for receiving operation data and OMR sheet data from a communication terminal, and the network control unit 11, The modem 12 and the communication control unit 13 constitute a transmission control unit that transmits the operation manual created by the editing control unit 23 and the single function list for requesting an operation manual stored in the single function list storage unit 24 to the communication terminal. . Further, the keyboard, scanner, and OMR processing unit 18 (not shown) of the facsimile mail device 1 constitute an input means for capturing the operation contents as operation data when an operation is performed on the device (facsimile mail device 1). The printer, display, etc. of the facsimile mail device 1 constitute output means for outputting the operation manual created by the editing control unit 23 and the single function list for requesting an operation manual stored in the single function list storage unit 24 in a predetermined expression form. are doing.

Next, the operation will be explained. As mentioned above, the facsimile mail device 1 provides the requested service when there is a service request from a communication terminal, but if the operator of the communication terminal does not know how to operate it, A manual request is received, an operation manual corresponding to the service (function of the facsimile mail device 1) requested by the operator is created and transmitted to the communication terminal.

That is, when the operator of the communication terminal requests the facsimile mail device 1 for an operating manual, he first calls the facsimile mail device 1 and requests the operating manual. This operating manual requires
This can be done using a tone signal by performing key operations according to voice guidance from the facsimile mail device 1, or the operation manual can be requested using an OMR sheet. for example,
When requesting an operation manual using an OMR sheet, the OMR sheet created in advance for requesting an operation manual is
An operation manual request is made using the MR sheet (see FIG. 4) 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, this OMR sheet 30 for requesting an operation manual includes a start mark 30a, an initial inclination permissible limit determination mark 30b, a guide mark 30c, a mode switching mark 30d, and a field shape, like a normal OMR sheet. It has a number 30e, a free area division designation mark 30f, an end mark 30g, etc., as well as marks specially provided for requesting an operation manual, such as an inquiry mark 30h, a voice guidance required/unnecessary mark 30i, and a mail type (service information). type) mark 30j, whether or not time is designated, and designated time mark 30k.

[0044] The operator of the communication terminal has OMR sheet 3.
When requesting an operation manual using 0, all that is required is to make a call to the facsimile mail device 1, have the communication terminal (for example, a facsimile device) read the OMR sheet 30, and send it. Next, basic processing in the facsimile mail device 1 will be explained based on FIGS. 5 to 18.

The facsimile mail device 1 is shown in FIGS. 5 to 7.
As shown in , when there is an incoming call (step S1), a user ID is received (step S2), and the received user ID is
Check whether D is registered (step S
3). This user ID is the facsimile mail device 1
This information is stored in the system information storage unit 22. If the received user ID is not registered, error processing is performed (step S4), and a check is made to see if the user ID should be re-entered (step S5). If re-input is to be performed, the process returns to step S2 and the user I
If D is received and there is no re-input, error handling and line disconnection are performed, and this flow ends (steps S6 and S7).

If the received user ID is registered in step S3, it is checked whether the ordering is by PB tone (step S8), and if it is PB ordering, the PB ordering is received (step S9). After completing the reception of PB ordering,
Check whether the ordering is normal (step S
10) When the ordering is performed normally, reception of the message is started (step S11). When the reception of all the messages is completed (step 12), it is checked whether the messages were received normally (step S13),
If the message is received normally, the lines L1 to L
n is disconnected and the reception process ends (step S14).

If the message is not received normally in step S13, error processing is performed and then the lines L1 to Ln are disconnected (steps S15 and S14). Further, in step S10, if the ordering using the PB tone is not performed normally, error handling (for example, feedback to the communication terminal that the ordering was not performed normally) is performed (step S16).
), check whether it is re-entered (step S1
7). If re-input is to be performed, the process returns to step S9 and the ordering by PB tone is received; if re-input is not performed, error processing (for example, feedback to the communication terminal to disconnect the line, etc.) is performed. ), the lines L1 to Ln are disconnected (step S15).
, S14). Steps S9 to S17 described above are the flow of the normal communication service request receiving process of the facsimile mail device 1.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that the ordering is not by PB tone, the message is received (step S18), and whether the received message is an OMR sheet message or an OMR for inquiry, that is, for requesting an operation manual. Check whether it is a sheet (step S19)
, S20). If the request is not an inquiry request (operation manual request), ordering processing using the OMR sheet is performed (step S21). That is, the received OMR
The OMR processing section 18 reads the mark position on the OMR sheet from the message on the sheet and develops it in the storage memory 20. The contents of the OMR sheet developed in the storage memory 20 are analyzed by the channel control section 16 to determine the ordering contents. to judge. It is checked whether the ordering has been performed normally (step S22), and if the ordering has not been performed normally, after performing error processing, the line L
1 to Ln are cut (steps S23, S14). If the ordering is performed normally, the message is received, and when all the messages are received normally, the line L1~
This flow is ended by disconnecting Ln (step S11~
S15).

In step S20, when an inquiry request (operation manual request) is made, it is checked whether the inquiry processing (operation manual request) using the OMR sheet has been carried out normally (step S25), and if it has not been carried out normally, , after error processing, line L
1 to Ln are cut (steps S32, S33). If the inquiry request is successfully made, the line L1
-Ln is disconnected (step S26), and the inquiry is analyzed (analysis of the request contents of the operation manual) (step S27). Next, it is checked whether the content of the inquiry request is normal (step S28), and if the content of the inquiry request is not normal, an error process is performed, for example,
This flow is ended by notifying the communication terminal that the contents of the inquiry request are not normal (step S29).
. If the content of the inquiry is normal, operation manual editing processing and operation manual output processing are performed, and this flow ends (steps S30, S31).

Next, the inquiry analysis process in step S27 will be explained. Each communication processing unit FCU1 to FCU
n is the received OMR sheet 30 for requesting an operation manual.
The OMR processing unit 18 reads the mark position of the OMR sheet 30 from the message and expands it to the storage memory 20.The channel control unit 16 analyzes the contents of the OMR sheet expanded to the storage memory 20 and requests the operation manual. Determine the content of the request.

That is, the channel control section 16 analyzes the contents expanded in the storage memory 20, and first determines whether voice guidance is necessary or not, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 (step R1). If it is determined that there is a mark at the key position of the voice guidance mark 30i on the OMR sheet, set the system parameter d0 to a0 (step R2), and mark the negative position of the voice guidance mark 30i on the OMR sheet. If it is determined that there is, the system parameter d0 is set to a1 (step 3). Here, the system parameters are the values for each processing step P0 to P11 shown in FIG. 3 to the next processing step P.
Which processing step P0~ is next when moving to 0~P11?
This is a parameter that determines whether to proceed to P11, and is shown in Figure 1.
As shown in 0, the information is stored in a buffer for storing system parameters formed in the instruction information storage section 21. Note that the system parameter d0 indicates the necessity or non-necessity of voice guidance, and the system parameter d1,
d2 and d3 are important for selecting a post office box, bulletin board, and specifying the time.
Destination ID. NO. or enter your phone number (
Tel. NO. ) to select input, etc., and d
4 stores a parameter indicating whether or not to broadcast simultaneously.

Once the channel control section 16 has set whether or not voice guidance is necessary and its system parameters,
Next, it is determined whether or not it is a post office box service (step R4).
. If it is not a post office box service, the system parameter d
1 to b2 and P.O. Box No. (Serial number given to the message that the user puts in the post office box) is checked (steps R5 and R6). P.O. Box N
O. If there is a PO Box No. is stored in the system information storage section 22, and the process proceeds to the next step (step R7). If there is none, proceed to the next step.

If it is not a post office box service in step R4, it is checked whether it is a bulletin board service (step R8), and if it is a bulletin board service, the system parameter d1 is set to b1 and the bulletin board number is set to b1. (Serial number given to the message posted by the user on the bulletin board) is checked (steps R9 and R10). Bulletin board No. If there is, the bulletin board No. is stored in the system information storage unit 22 and proceeds to the next step (
Step R11), bulletin board NO. If there is no, proceed to the next step.

[0054] In step R4, if it is not a bulletin board service, it is checked whether it is a normal message (step R1).
2) If the message is not a normal message, error processing is performed and this flow is ended (step R13). If it is a normal message, the system parameter d1 is set to d2 and the process moves to the next step (step R14). Once the system parameters have been set depending on whether it is a post office box, a bulletin board, or an ordinary message, a check is then made to see if the time is specified (step R15), and if the time is not specified, the system parameter d2 is set to d3. (Step R16). This system parameter d3 will be set again in later processing. When specifying the time, the system parameter d2 is set to b3 (step R17), and it is checked whether the specified time is normal (step R18). If the specified time is not normal, error processing is performed and this flow is ended (step R19), and if the specified time is normal, the specified time is stored in the system information storage unit 22 and the destination is Tel. No. It is checked whether it is specified by (steps R20, R21). If the destination is Tel. N
O. When specified, the system parameter d3 is set to b4 (step R22), and the process proceeds to the next step. If the destination is Tel. NO. If not specified, the destination is ID. No. It is checked whether the designation is made by (step R25). If the destination is Tel. NO. But again, ID.
NO. However, if it is not specified, it is considered an error, and
After performing error handling, this flow ends (step R19). The destination is ID. NO. When specified, the system parameter d3 is set to b5 (step R26), and a check is made to see if it is a broadcast service (step R27). If the service is not a broadcast service, the system parameter d4 is set to c2 (step R28), and if the service is a broadcast service, the system parameter d4 is set to c1 (step R29).

After setting each system parameter in this way, a service code is determined from the set system parameters and stored in the register (step R30). In other words, by detecting and setting system parameters, the functions (services) requested by the communication terminal operator can be realized.
Once the type of communication terminal is determined, an operation manual corresponding to the type of service requested by the operator of this communication terminal is then created.

Next, the operation manual editing/creation process will be explained based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 and 12. The editing control unit 23 first sets the counters α, β, γ.
is set (reset) to "0" (step Q1), and the code of processing step Pα is stored in the manual generation buffer 14 (step Q2). After storing the code of the processing step Pα in the manual generation buffer 14, the editing control unit 23 inputs the system parameters of this processing step Pα (system parameters d0 to d0 set in FIGS. 8 and 9 above) from the instruction information storage unit 21. d4, etc.) (step Q3) and check whether the system parameter is "0" (step Q4). If the system parameter is "0", the address of the explanatory data corresponding to the system parameter "0" and the code of the next processing step Pα are read out in processing step Pα and stored in the manual generation buffer 14 (step Q5). On the other hand, when the system parameter is not "0", the value of the system parameter dβ is read from the system information storage unit 22 (step Q6), and the address of the explanatory data corresponding to the processing step Pα and the system parameter dβ and the address of the next processing step Pα are read. Code instruction information storage unit 21
, and input it into the manual generation buffer 14 as the address Aγ (step Q7).

That is, the processing step Pα and the system parameter dβ correspond to each other as shown in FIG. 13, and when the processing step Pα and the system parameter dβ are determined, the next processing step Pα is determined and Explanatory data for the processing step Pα is determined in accordance with that. Therefore, the processing step Pα and the system parameter d
By freely combining .beta., the next processing step P.alpha. can be set freely, and the explanatory data necessary for the operation in this processing step P.alpha. can be freely combined.

In this way, first, the next processing step Pα corresponding to the processing step P0 and the system parameter d0 is
When the address setting of the explanatory data of the system parameter dβ is completed, β+1 is set as the parameter β (
Step Q8), it is checked whether it is the final processing step Pα (step Q9). If it is not the final processing step Pα, the process returns to step Q3 and similarly, the next processing step Pα and the explanation data manual generation buffer 1 are performed based on the system parameters for each processing step Pα.
4 (steps Q3 to Q8). When the above processing is repeatedly executed up to the final processing step Pα, as shown in FIG. The address of the explanation data at Pα is expanded. Therefore, by freely setting the system parameter dβ, a processing step Pα corresponding to each of the plurality of communication services provided by the facsimile mail device can be set, and each processing step Pα corresponding to the target communication service can be explained. Data can be combined freely.

Next, the service code stored in the system information storage section 22 is read out (step Q11),
The corresponding header section is taken out and expanded to the header position 40a of the operation manual in the manual generation buffer 14, as shown in FIG. 15 (step Q12). Here, the counter γ is set to "0" (step Q13), and the explanatory data stored at the address Aγ is read out and developed in the character data area 40b of the operation manual of the manual generation buffer 14 (step Q14). In addition, explanatory figures (instruction information storage unit 2
1 with the explanatory data of the processing step Pα,
Alternatively, it is stored independently regardless of explanatory data. ) and the system information (Tel. NO., ID. NO., etc.) stored in the system information storage unit 22, and the image area 40c of the manual generation buffer 14 is read out.
(Step Q15). When the expansion of each data at the corresponding address γ into the manual generation buffer 14 is completed, it is checked whether the data is the final data (step Q1).
6) If the data is not the final data, increment the counter γ by 1 (γ=γ+1) and return to step Q14.

Similarly, explanatory data, explanatory figures, and system information for each address Aγ entered in the manual generation buffer 14 are developed into the manual generation buffer 14, and when the processing for all addresses Aγ is completed, the operation manual is edited and generated. Finish the process. The operation manual developed in the manual generation buffer 14 in this way is output from the facsimile mail device 1 to the communication terminal that has requested the operation manual, and the communication terminal receives the operation manual as shown in FIG.
An operating manual 50 as shown in 6 can be received. The operator of the communication terminal who has received the operation manual can receive the desired communication service of the facsimile mail device 1 by looking at the transmitted operation manual and performing the operations as described in the operation manual. can.

[0061] This output process may be performed directly when the generation of the operating manual is completed, or alternatively, it may be sent to the post office box of the facsimile mail device 1 and a request is made from the communication terminal to send the operating manual for the post office box. It may be transmitted at any time, and the output method is not limited. In addition, the facsimile mail device 1 is configured to perform a single function list when there is a request for a list of single functions from a communication terminal or at a predetermined time (for example, when an item in the operation manual that can be provided by the facsimile mail device 1 is added). The single-function list for requesting an operating manual stored in the list storage unit 24 is transmitted to a communication terminal or output to the display or printer of the facsimile mail device 1 itself.

For example, when an operator of a communication terminal does not know how to operate a communication service request to the facsimile mail device 1, he first calls the facsimile mail device 1, uses a PB tone, and enters his password (
ID). The facsimile mail device 1 is PB
When the password is entered by the tone, the operator will be prompted to input the single function list request command using the voice guidance, and the operator will input the single function request list command, for example, ``*99#'' according to the voice guidance, and then call the operator. Wear.

When the facsimile mail device 1 receives the single function request command, the channel control unit 16 reads the data of the single function list for requesting an operation manual from the single function list storage unit 24, as shown in FIG. , and transferred to the data storage unit 19 (step T1). Next, enter the registered FAX No. corresponding to the password (ID). F of the other party who sent the single function request command
AX No. is set in the data storage unit 19 (step T2), and the single function list for requesting an operating manual, which was set in the data storage unit 19 in step T1, is transmitted to the set partner (step T3).

The operator of the communication terminal who has requested the single function list can receive a single function list 50 for requesting an operating manual as shown in FIG. This list of single functions includes the following:
The operations required when requesting an operation manual from the facsimile mail device 1 are displayed as a list of single functions for each item of the operation manual that can be requested from the facsimile mail device 1. therefore,
The operator of the communication terminal can request the facsimile mail device 1 by performing a simple single function request operation according to the single function list received from the facsimile mail device 1.
You may request an operating manual for the desired item. As a result, an operation manual request can be made simply and easily, and the usability of the facsimile mail device 1 as an operation manual creation device can be improved. Therefore, the man-machine interface can be improved and the usability of the functions of the facsimile mail device 1 can be improved.

[0065] When there is a request for an operation manual according to the single function list, the facsimile mail device 1 uses the same basic process as shown in FIGS. When it is determined that the request is for an operation manual for a single function, the operation manual corresponding to the request is processed in the same manner as described above, and the editing control unit 23 edits and creates the operation manual. The edited and created operation manual is output to the display or printer of the facsimile mail device 1 itself, or transmitted to a communication terminal, as described above.

[0066] In this way, the operation manual for operations necessary to request the equipment functions requested by the operator can be edited and created by freely combining explanatory data for each processing step necessary to realize the functions. , can be output. As a result, it is possible to generate and provide an operation manual that can fully meet the wide range of operator demands without using a large-capacity storage device. In addition, it is possible to provide an operation manual for the series of operations necessary to realize the functions of the device, from the beginning to the completion of the operation. functions can be reliably realized. Therefore, the man-machine interface can be improved and the functions of the equipment can be fully utilized.

[0067] Furthermore, when creating an operation manual, if system information is stored in the system information storage means in advance, the operation manual is edited and created by incorporating that system information. By operating the contents as they are, you can request the desired device function. Therefore, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the functions of the equipment can be more easily and fully utilized.

[0068] Furthermore, the equipment equipped with the communication function is provided with an operation manual for the operations necessary to realize (request) the function (communication service) of the equipment equipped with the communication function requested by the operator. Explanatory data for each necessary processing step can be freely combined, edited and created, and sent to a communication terminal. As a result, it is possible to generate and provide an operation manual that can fully meet the wide range of operator demands without using a large-capacity storage device. In addition, it is possible to provide an operation manual for a series of operations from the beginning to the completion of the operation necessary to realize the functions of devices equipped with communication functions. It is possible to reliably realize the functions of a device equipped with the intended communication function. Therefore, the man-machine interface can be improved, and the functions of devices equipped with communication functions can be fully utilized.

[0069] Furthermore, when creating an operating manual for a device equipped with a communication function, if system information is stored in advance in the system information storage means, the operating manual can be edited and created by incorporating the system information, and the communication Since the information is sent to the terminal, the operator of the communication terminal can request the desired communication service from the facsimile mail device by simply operating the contents described in the operation manual. therefore,
The man-machine interface can be further improved, and communication services of devices equipped with communication functions can be more easily and fully utilized.

Furthermore, in a facsimile mail device serving as a communication device, a request for an operation manual is received from a communication terminal, and an operation manual for operations necessary for requesting the communication service targeted by the requesting operator is received.
Explanatory data for each processing step necessary for realizing the communication service can be freely combined, edited and created, and sent to the communication terminal. As a result, it is possible to create and provide an operation manual that can fully meet the wide range of demands of operators of communication terminals without using large-capacity storage means. In addition, it is possible to provide an operating manual for the series of operations necessary for requesting communication services, from the beginning to the completion of the operation. service can be used. Therefore, the man-machine interface can be improved and the communication service of the facsimile mail device can be fully utilized.

[0071] In addition, the equipment can accept operation inquiries and function requests using OMR sheets, provide the functions, and edit and create an operation manual requested by the operator and send it to the communication terminal. Requests for functions and operation manuals can be made even more easily. As a result, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the functions of the equipment can be more easily and fully utilized.

Furthermore, a list of single functions for requesting an operation manual is provided, a request for an operation manual for a single function according to the list of single functions is accepted, and an operation manual requested for the single function is edited and provided. Therefore, an operation manual request can be made simply and easily, and the usability of the operation manual creation device can be improved. Therefore, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the usability of the equipment can be further improved.

[0073]

According to the invention as claimed in claim 1, in a device that realizes various functions by combining a plurality of processing steps, explanatory data of the operation contents necessary for each processing step is stored for each processing step. , When an operation manual is requested, an operation manual is created by freely combining the operations in the processing steps that should be executed to realize the function of the requested operation manual by freely combining the explanatory data of the operation contents for each processing step. This reduces the storage capacity required to store the explanatory data necessary to create an operation manual, and also allows the user to create an operation manual that can fully meet the wide range of needs of equipment operators. can be provided. Therefore, even a beginner can realize the intended functions of the device even without an operation manual attached to the device, and the man-machine interface can be improved. As a result, the functions of the device can be fully utilized.

[0074] In addition, a list of single functions for requesting an operation manual is stored, and the list of single functions is provided when requested by an operator or at a predetermined time, and the list of single functions according to the list of single functions is provided. It is possible to accept requests for operation manuals from users, edit and create the requested operation manuals using a single function, and provide the requested operation manuals.This allows requests for operation manuals to be made simply and easily, and improves the usability of the operation manual creation device. can be improved. Therefore, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the usability of the equipment can be further improved.

According to the invention set forth in claim 2, when various system information necessary for realizing the functions of the equipment is inputted in advance, when creating the operation manual set forth in claim 1, it is possible to incorporate these system information. Since an operation manual can be created, system information can also be inputted by operating the operation manual according to its contents. Therefore, even if the operator has forgotten or does not know the system information, by operating it according to the operating manual, the intended equipment function can be realized.
The man-machine interface can be further improved, making it easier and more effective to utilize the functions of the equipment.

[0076] In addition, a list of single functions for requesting an operation manual is stored, and the list of single functions is provided when requested by an operator or at a predetermined time, and the list of single functions according to the list of single functions is provided. It is possible to accept requests for operation manuals from users, edit and create the requested operation manuals using a single function, and provide the requested operation manuals.This allows requests for operation manuals to be made simply and easily, and improves the usability of the operation manual creation device. can be improved. Therefore, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the usability of the equipment can be further improved.

According to the invention described in claim 3, in a device having a communication function that realizes various functions by combining a plurality of processing steps, for each processing step, explanatory data of the operation contents necessary for that processing step is provided. When an operation manual is requested from a communication terminal, the operation at the processing step that should be executed to realize the function of the requested operation manual is freely provided. Since the combination can be created as an operation manual and sent to the communication terminal, it is possible to reduce the required capacity of the storage unit that stores the explanatory data necessary for creating the operation manual, and also to meet the wide range of demands of communication terminal operators. It is possible to provide an operating manual that can fully accommodate the following. Therefore, even a beginner can realize the functions of the device having the desired communication function even without the operation manual attached to the device, and the man-machine interface can be improved. As a result, the functions of devices equipped with communication functions can be fully utilized.

[0078] Furthermore, a list of single functions for requesting an operation manual is stored and sent to the operator of the communication terminal when a single function list is requested or at a predetermined time. It is possible to receive an operation manual request from a communication terminal using a single function, edit and create the requested operation manual using the single function, and send it to the communication terminal, making it easy and simple to request an operation manual from a communication terminal. Therefore, the usability of the operation manual creation device can be improved. Therefore, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the usability of devices equipped with communication functions can be further improved.

According to the invention set forth in claim 4, when various system information necessary for realizing the functions of a device equipped with a communication function is inputted in advance, these information can be inputted when creating the operation manual set forth in claim 1. Since an operation manual can be created by incorporating system information, by operating the operation manual according to its contents, the system information can also be input and operated. Therefore, even if the operator has forgotten or does not know the system information, by operating the device according to the operating manual, the device can realize the desired communication function, further improving the man-machine interface. This makes it possible to more easily and fully utilize the functions of devices equipped with communication functions.

[0080] Furthermore, a list of single functions for requesting an operation manual is stored and sent to the operator of the communication terminal when there is a request for a single function or at a predetermined time, and the list of single functions according to the list of single functions is sent to the operator of the communication terminal. It is possible to receive an operation manual request from a communication terminal, edit and create the requested operation manual using a single function, and send it to the communication terminal.
An operation manual request can be made simply and easily from a communication terminal, and the usability of the operation manual creation device can be improved. Therefore, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the usability of devices equipped with communication functions can be further improved.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the facsimile mail device receives an operation inquiry from the communication terminal, creates an operation manual for operations necessary to use the service of the facsimile mail device, and processes the communication. Since the information can be sent to the terminal, the service of the facsimile mail device can be easily and fully utilized from the communication terminal.

[0082] In addition, a list of single functions for requesting an operation manual is stored and sent to the operator of the communication terminal when a single function is requested or at a predetermined time, and the list of single functions according to the list of single functions is sent to the operator of the communication terminal. It is possible to receive an operation manual request from a communication terminal, edit and create the requested operation manual using a single function, and send it to the communication terminal.
An operation manual request can be made simply and easily from a communication terminal, and the usability of the operation manual creation device can be improved. Therefore, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the usability of devices equipped with communication functions can be further improved.

According to the invention described in claim 6, in a device equipped with a communication function, a function request or an operation inquiry via an OMR sheet is received, and a function is provided or a function desired by an operator is used. It is possible to edit, create and output the necessary operation manual, and it is possible to make function requests and operation inquiries even more easily. Therefore, the man-machine interface can be further improved and the functions of the equipment can be utilized more easily and fully. In addition, a list of single functions for requesting an operation manual is stored and sent to the operator of the communication terminal when a single function is requested or at a predetermined time.
It is possible to receive an operation manual request from a communication terminal for a single function according to the single function list, edit and create the operation manual requested for the single function, and send it to the communication terminal, so the operation manual can be sent from the communication terminal. Requests can be made simply and easily, and the usability of the operation manual creation device can be improved. therefore,
By further improving the man-machine interface, it is possible to further improve the usability of devices equipped with communication functions.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile mail device to which an operation manual creation device according to each invention of the present application is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communication processing unit of a facsimile mail device to which the operation manual creation device according to each invention of the present application is applied.

FIG. 3 is a transition diagram of processing steps of a facsimile mail device as an operation manual creation device according to each invention of the present application.

[Figure 4] OM for requesting operation manual according to each invention of the present application
A diagram showing an R sheet.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a part of the basic processing of a facsimile mail device as an operation manual creation device according to each invention of the present application.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the basic processing of the facsimile mail device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the basic processing of the facsimile mail device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing part of the operation manual request analysis process in the facsimile mail device as the operation manual creation device according to each invention of the present application.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the operation manual request analysis process of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a system parameter storage buffer of a facsimile mail device as an operation manual creation device according to each invention of the present application.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a part of operation manual editing/creation processing in a facsimile mail device as an operation manual creation device according to each invention of the present application.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the operation manual editing/creation process of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the state of processing steps and system parameters stored in the instruction information storage unit of the facsimile mail device as the operation manual creation device according to each invention of the present application.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing address settings for processing steps and explanatory data stored in a manual generation buffer of a facsimile mail device as an operation manual generation device according to each invention of the present application.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing each data of the operation manual developed in the manual generation buffer of the facsimile mail device as the operation manual generation device according to each invention of the present application.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of an operation manual edited and created according to each invention of the present application.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a single function list transmission process according to each invention of the present application.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a single function list outputted by each invention of the present application.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Facsimile mail device 2 System control section 3, 4 Disk control section 5 Floppy disk device 6, 7 Hard disk device 8 Host interface section 11 Network control section 12 Modem 13 Communication control section 14 Manual generation buffer 15 Encoding/decoding section 16 Channel Control section 17 Control program storage section 18 OMR processing section 19 Data storage section 20 Storage memory 21 Instruction information storage section 22 System information storage section 23 Edit control section 24 Single function list storage section 25 Bus control section 30 OMR for operation manual request Seat 30h
Inquiry mark 30i Voice guidance required/unnecessary mark 30j
Mail type (service type) mark 30k
Whether or not time is specified and specified time mark 40a
Header section 40b Character data area 40c Image data area 50 Single function list

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An operation manual creation device that is applied to a device that realizes multiple functions by combining a plurality of processing steps that are executed when a predetermined operation is performed, an input means for importing the operation contents as operation data when the input means is input; a data storage means for extracting and storing data necessary for creating an operation manual from among the data input by the input means; A purpose of combining an instruction information storage means for storing explanatory data of the operation contents at each processing step, and an instruction information storage means for storing explanatory data of the operation contents at each processing step, which is analyzed by analyzing the data stored in the data storage means and stored in the instruction information storage means. An editing control means that edits and creates the operation manual necessary to realize the desired function, and an operation manual requesting unit that combines multiple simple single-function operations for each operation manual request operation that can be provided by the operation manual creation device. A single-function storage means for storing a list of functional operations; and an output means for outputting an operation manual created by the editing control means and a list of single-function operations stored in the single-function storage means at a predetermined time in a predetermined expression form. , preparedness,
An operation manual creation device characterized in that when an operation manual is requested by a single function operation from an input means, an editing control means edits and creates the requested operation manual based on the input single function operation data. 2. An operation manual creation device that is applied to a device that realizes multiple functions by combining a plurality of processing steps executed when a predetermined operation is performed, wherein the device an input means for importing the operation contents as operation data when the input means is input; a data storage means for extracting and storing data necessary for creating an operation manual from among the data input by the input means; an instruction information storage means for storing explanatory data of the operation contents to be performed; a system information storage means for storing various system information entered in advance to realize each function of the device; Analyze the data and combine the explanatory data of the operation contents at each processing step stored in the instruction information storage means, and incorporate the system information stored in the system information storage means to perform the operations necessary to realize the desired function. Edit/edit the manual
an editing control means for creating, a single-function storage means for storing the requested operations of each operation manual that can be provided by the operation manual creation device as a single-function operation list for operation manual requests that is a combination of a plurality of simple single-function operations; output means for outputting the operation manual created by the editing control means and the list of single-function operations stored in the single-function storage means in a predetermined expression form at a predetermined time; An operation manual creation device characterized in that, when the operation manual is inputted, the editing control means edits and creates the requested operation manual based on the input single-function operation data. 3. When a predetermined operation is performed on a communication terminal, operation data corresponding to the content of the operation is received from the communication terminal, and a plurality of processing steps are executed in combination according to the operation data. A device for creating an operation manual for a communication device that realizes a function, comprising a reception control means for receiving data from the communication terminal, and extracting data necessary for creating an operation manual from among the data received by the reception control means. an instruction information storage means for storing explanatory data of the operation content required for each of the above-mentioned processing steps; and an instruction information storage means for analyzing the data stored in the data storage means. An editing control means that edits and creates an operation manual necessary to realize a desired function by combining stored explanation data of operation contents at each processing step, and a request for each operation manual that can be provided by an operation manual creation device. a single-function storage means for storing operations as a single-function operation list for requesting an operation manual, which is a combination of a plurality of simple single-function operations;
and transmission control means for transmitting the operation manual created by the editing control means and the single function operation list stored in the single function storage means to the communication terminal at a predetermined time, and the operation manual is requested from the communication terminal by the single function operation. An operation manual creation device characterized in that the editing control means then edits and creates the requested operation manual based on the input single function operation data. 4. When a predetermined operation is performed on a communication terminal, operation data corresponding to the content of the operation is received from the communication terminal, and a plurality of processing steps are executed in combination according to the operation data. A device for creating an operation manual for a device equipped with a communication function to realize a function, comprising a reception control means for receiving data from the communication terminal, and a device necessary for creating an operation manual from among the data received by the reception control means. a data storage means for extracting and storing data; an instruction information storage means for storing explanatory data of the operation contents required for each of the above processing steps; system information storage means for storing various system information;
Analyze the data stored in the data storage means, combine the explanatory data of the operation contents at each processing step stored in the instruction information storage means, and incorporate the system information stored in the system information storage means to achieve the objective. An editing control means for editing and creating the operation manual necessary to realize a function, and a single-function operation for requesting an operation manual that combines multiple simple single-function operations with each operation manual request operation that can be provided by the operation manual creation device. comprising a single-function storage means for storing as a list, and a transmission control means for transmitting the operation manual created by the editing control means and the single-function operation list stored in the single-function storage means to a communication terminal at a predetermined time; An operation manual creation device characterized in that when an operation manual is requested by a single function operation from a communication terminal, an editing control means edits and creates the requested operation manual based on input single function operation data. 5. The operation manual creation device according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the device is a facsimile mail device. 6. The operation manual creation device according to claim 3, wherein said reception control means includes OMR processing means for analyzing data on an OMR sheet.